General Account Information FAQ

How are finance charges calculated?

All retail installment contracts with CarMax Auto Finance are "simple interest" contracts. This means that finance charges, often referred to as "interest," accrue daily, beginning on the date of your contract. Each time you make a payment, the payment amount is applied first to accrued finance charges. The amount of finance charge that accrues is calculated by multiplying the number of days between the last payment and the next payment by your individual daily per diem. The per diem is the amount of finance charge incurred "per day." The formula is as follows:

Example: Current principal balance of $10,000.00 and a finance charge rate of 10%: ($10,000.00) x (.10) / 365 = $2.74 daily per diem. That means $2.74 in finance charges accrue each day. If a payment is received on 6/1/16 and another is received on 7/1/16, thirty days of finance charges accrue. That means, $82.19 of a payment would be applied to the accrued finance charges and the remainder to other amounts, including the principal. If the payment in this example was $250.00, $82.19 would be applied to finance charges, and the remaining $167.81 would be applied to the principal balance.

How is my payment divided between principal and finance charges?

In accordance with applicable law. If there is no applicable law, payments are applied first to finance charges and then to other amounts owed, including late charges, principal, and other fees. Remember, as the principal balance is reduced, the daily per diem also decreases. So, as long as the principal balance is reduced with each payment, the amount of finance charges that accrue daily decreases too. That’s why the amount of finance charges paid at the beginning of a contract is higher than the amount paid at the end.

What is a grace period?

It’s the time after a payment is due and before a late charge is assessed. Grace periods vary based on applicable law, which in turn depends on where you purchased your vehicle and signed your retail installment contract. We recommend mailing your payment 7-10 days in advance to allow for timely receipt. Despite grace periods, your monthly payment is still due by the due date.

If you fail to make a payment within the grace period, a late charge will be assessed. If we receive a payment near the end of the grace period, allow 1-2 business days for the payment to be processed and credited to your account. If, in such a case, a late charge is assessed, it will automatically be removed upon our processing and crediting your payment.

If I make a payment for more than my monthly payment amount, how will the additional amount be applied to my account?

Any additional amount is applied to future payments, up to the next 3 payments, unless otherwise required by law. Any remaining amounts will be applied to the principal balance owed on your account.

If you have a $100 payment due February 1st, and you send in $500 on February 1st, your payment will satisfy your February 1st $100 payment, your March 1st $100 payment, your April 1st $100 payment, and your May 1 $100 payment. The remaining $100 is applied to your principal account balance, and your next payment will be due June 1st.

The amount of your final payment can vary depending on your payment history, and may include any amount past due, plus other previously assessed unpaid fees.

This amount is also impacted by your payment history. Your account is based on a "simple interest" retail installment contract, which means that finance charges, or "interest," accrue on your account each day based on the unpaid principal balance. If you regularly made payments before your due date, fewer finance charges would have accrued during the term of your account. If you regularly made payments after your due date, more finance charges would have accrued and the final scheduled payment is likely larger than the regularly scheduled amount.

Online Account Registration

I’m a co-buyer on the account; can I have access to my account online?

Yes, both a primary applicant and a co-buyer will have the ability to establish their own individual access to the CarMax Auto Finance account. As a co-buyer, set up your own MyCarMax account, then, simply enter the account number, the last 4-digits of your social security number, your date of birth and agree to the E-Sign Consent and Online Account Services Agreements to create your own association to the account.

I’m an existing CarMax Auto Finance customer and have an online account. I just financed a new vehicle through CarMax Auto Finance. How do I add this to my online account?

As long as the last 4-digits of your social security number and your date of birth match the existing account, you’ll automatically access the new account. The new account will appear on your overview page when you log onto your CarMax Auto Finance account. If you are unable to access the new account, please contact customer service for assistance at 800-925-3612.

How long will my statement be available online?

How do I read my statement?

I just registered my CarMax Auto Finance account online. Will I still receive my statement in the mail?

No, newly-registered online customers will receive online statements only. If you are the primary account holder, you can choose to also receive mailed statements. Just sign in to MyCarMax, select View Statements, and update your statement preferences. Please note that your account status may limit your access to change these preferences.

How long after I purchase my car will it take to receive my first statement?

Your statement will be generated 18 days prior to your first due date. If you are registered for an online statement, it will be posted within four days of creation.

How do I stop receiving statement email alerts?

Sign in to MyCarMax and select View Statements. From here, you can opt out of receiving statement email alerts. Please note that your account status may limit your access to change these preferences.

Titles and Registration FAQ

I recently moved to a new state and need to register my vehicle. What do I need to do?

First, you will need to contact the DMV in your new state of residency and ask them to provide CarMax Auto Finance with a letter or proper form indicating the change in residence. They can fax the letter to us at:

(770) 423-7856

Or they can mail the letter to:

CarMax Auto Finance
P.O. Box 440609
Kennesaw, GA 30160

Upon receipt, we’ll process the request and take the necessary steps to allow for registration in the new state. Processing time can vary, so please allow 30-60 days to complete.

Can I have the co-buyer removed from the title or add a third party to the title?

No, a co-buyer cannot be removed from the title and a third party cannot be added. Only those who are on the retail installment contract as a buyer or co-buyer may be listed on the title.

My account is paid in full, how soon can I expect to receive the title?

If you pay off your account with certified or other guaranteed funds, your title may be released within 3 business days from the date the payoff posts to your account.

If you pay off your account with non-certified or non-guaranteed funds, such as a personal or business check, the release of your title and our lien is subject to a longer processing time and hold period.

We will mail the title to the primary buyer’s address on the account, or new lienholder if specified. Please allow 7-10 days to receive your title after we have mailed it.

If you live in a state that issues electronic titles, once we release our security interest in the vehicle, the DMV will send you the paper title directly or you will need to contact the DMV for instructions regarding your title. Please contact the DMV in your state for answers to any title questions you may have.

Insurance Claim Information FAQ

My car was recently involved in an accident and I have an insurance check made out to both CarMax Auto Finance and me. How do I have it endorsed?

Forward the insurance check, a copy of the original insurance estimate, and the completed repair bill to CarMax Auto Finance. (Note: All work must be completed by a qualified body shop for us to endorse the check.)

After we endorse the check, we’ll overnight it to the body shop that completed the repairs. If you have already paid for the repairs, we’ll require a copy of the receipt. Once we have the receipt, we’ll overnight the check to the person listed as the primary buyer on the account.

My car was recently in an accident and deemed a total loss. Can I keep the vehicle and have it repaired anyway?

Call us at (800) 925-3612 to discuss your situation.

Is there a maximum insurance deductible I am allowed to have on my policy?

Yes, the maximum deductibles allowed are $500 for Collision and $500 for Comprehensive.

*In your letter, please share specific information you dispute, explain the basis for the dispute, and include any supporting documentation.

I’ve been a victim of identity theft and would like copies of the documents relating to a CarMax Auto Finance account that has been opened in my name. How do I obtain that information?

Request a copy of the applicable information in writing and provide us with the following: All relevant information with respect to the identity theft (including, as applicable, the date of the application contract or account number);

A photocopy of your government issued ID

A copy of a police report relating to the identity theft and a completed and notarized identity theft affidavit (obtained from www.ftc.gov or by calling us at (800) 925-3612).